RMMI News and Events

Words: Ann WolterMany Colorado municipalities are now requiring LEED certification for any projects built with public funds. In an effort to better educate the construction industry on this topic, Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute's (RMMI) Technical Director Diane Travis will present seminars across Colorado, Wyoming and Montana to discuss LEED requirements for green building certification and the role masonry can play. These seminars are geared toward architects, engineers and mason contractors, and architects can earn self-report credits for attending.

The LEED-masonry seminars will be presented at the following dates and locations: Durango on May 21, Grand Junction on May 22, Aspen on May 23, Steamboat Springs on May 24, and Vail on May 25. The LEED seminar tour will also be presented in Wyoming and Montana in late August and early September. For further details on this seminar, contact dianet@rmmi.org.

With the arrival of spring weather, plans for outdoor social activities are dominating conversation in RMMI's planning committees. The annual golf retreat will be May 31 at Vista Ridge, followed by the July 13 Clay Shoot at Kiowa Creek, annual Summer Retreat at the Lodge at Vail August 9-11, and Run Around the Block 5K race on Sept. 16. Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $250 to $2,000, are available for all of the events. For more information, contact admin@rmmi.org.

Finally, RMMI hosts monthly membership networking evenings that are both a social opportunity and an educational keynote presentation. In March, RMMI worked with the Colorado Chapter of Associated Building Contractors to present a discussion panel of general contractors (GC). The GCs answered mason contractors' questions ranging from "What is your perception of mason contractors in general?" to "What does it take to get on your preferred list of subcontractors?" The common theme in the GC's answers was reliability and relationships, although they also expressed concerns about being controlled by their customer's bottom line.

In April, the membership networking evening will have two topics: construction plans for Denver's commuter rail system and an update on RMMI's workforce development project.
The New Equation for Masonry Profit: Predictable Hardware and Proven Data
July 2026

The masonry industry is built on tradition, but modern growth requires a shift from guesswork to absolute certainty. When we talk about the philosophy that you cannot improve what you do not measure, we are looking at the literal minutes and manpower lost

The Walls We Build
July 2026

As masons, we spend our careers building walls. We build them with brick, block, stone, and mortar, and we take pride in making them straight, strong, and built to last. But over the years, I’ve learned there is another kind of wall we build—the walls we

Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R